Atienza: Cayetano's remarks vs House leadership ‘fake news, desperate’

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker and Buhay Party-list Representative Jose Livioko "Lito" Atienza on Sunday dismissed the "fake news" claims made by Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano that the leadership of the lower chamber blocked a probe on supposedly corrupt members.

In a statement, Atienza denied that the House leadership scrapped the supposed proposal of Cayetano's allies -- Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Michael Defensor and Bulacan Representative Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado -- to probe corruption allegations.

"That's fake news... Cayetano is trying so hard to stay relevant even to the point of spreading fake news," Atienza said. "Nakikita kung gaano talaga siya kadesperado."

Cayetano said last week that there were attempts to investigate claims of corruption against some House members, but this was supposedly blocked by the new leadership.

According to Atienza, Cayetano's claim ran counter to the statement made by his ally Defensor who challenged Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chief Greco Belgica to file cases against lawmakers linked to supposedly corrupt activities should there be evidence.

"Cayetano has an ax to grind against Speaker [Lord Allan] Velasco. You cannot expect him to say something good about the current House leadership," said Atienza.

"Cayetano and his minions should stop sour-graping and move on from the speakership row. Bagong taon na, tigilan na ang pagiging bitter," he added.

To recall, the House of Representatives in October made official the election of Velasco as the Speaker, following a squabble with Cayetano who was ousted.
 — DVM, GMA News